Approval vs. Happiness

My parents (in particular, my mother) have a very dead set idea of what it means to succeed in life: Stable and comfortable job; being in some sort of upper middle-class; and be surrounded by equally 'successful' people. Not that I don't see the appeal of this, but maybe as a millenial I see things a little differently. What's the point of having all these material comfort when I'm not truly happy, passionate about what I do and constantly striving to become a better person? What is life when all I'll be doing is striving to seek the approval of my parents, and in essence, society? 

Would I rather be struggling for the rest of my life doing what I love, or be comfortable, validated by my family, but stuck in a cloud of mediocrity?  

I'm never going to get the approval of my parents studying and creating art. It's created a huge chasm between us already but... For the first time in my life, I want to fight for something that is part of me. It will not satisfy me to pursue this as a hobby. I want to do this every day of my life. I want to change the world with it. 

Fuck the world, I'd rather be happy than comfortable.